Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Dr. John Howell recently was appointed medical director of University Physicians Group, a primary care practice located on the University of South Alabama Commons campus.

“I am excited to join the University, and I look forward to caring for USA employees and their families,” Dr. Howell said. “University Physicians Group is dedicated to providing our colleagues and friends in the University community with excellent care and customer service.”

Prior to his appointment at USA, Dr. Howell practiced at Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System in Mobile. He previously worked in primary care at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System in New Orleans, where he also was a hospitalist.

Dr. Howell earned his bachelor of arts degree in biology from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md. He later earned his medical degree from the University of Mississippi in Jackson, Miss., and completed his residency training in internal medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Miss.

From 2006-2008, Dr. Howell was adjunct clinical instructor at the USA College of Medicine. He became adjunct assistant professor in 2008 and served in that role for approximately five years.

Dr. Howell is board certified in internal medicine. He is now accepting patients at University Physicians Group, located at University Commons, 75 S. University Blvd. in Mobile. To make an appointment, call (251) 660-5787.

Next week's Distinguished Scientist Seminar at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine will feature Dr. Peter L. Strick, distinguished professor and chair of neurobiology at the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pa.

The lecture, titled "Basal Ganglia Loops with the Cerebral Cortex and Cerebellum: Circuits for Movement, Cognition and Affect," will take place Feb. 16, 2016, at 4 p.m. in the first floor auditorium of the Medical Sciences Building on USA’s main campus.

Dr. Strick also currently serves as co-director for the Center for Neuroscience, co-director for the Center for the
Neural Basis of Cognition, and professor of psychiatry at the University
of Pittsburgh. He earned his undergraduate degree in biology and his doctorate in anatomy from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pa.

His research interests include the cortical motor areas; the functions of the basal ganglia and cerebellum; and unraveling the circuitry of the central nervous system.

The lecture series is comprised of distinguished scientists from
other academic institutions who are invited by the USA College of
Medicine basic science departments to present a seminar showcasing their
latest research findings. Faculty, staff and students are strongly
encouraged to attend.

The February Med School Café lecture will feature Dr. Angus McBryde, professor and interim chair of the department of orthopaedic surgery at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine.

His lecture, titled “Preparing for Race Day,” will be held on Feb. 23, 2016, at the USA Faculty Club on USA’s main campus. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m., and the presentation begins at noon. Dr. McByde will discuss running tips, including how to properly train for a 10K race and how to prevent injuries, as well as tips on race day nutrition.

Dr. McBryde served as team physician at the National Sports Festival in Baton Rouge, La., in 1983; the World Games in Yugoslavia in 1987; the Summer Olympic Games in Korea in 1988; and the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

From 2000 to 2005 and from 2012 to 2015, Dr. McBryde served as professor in the department of orthopaedic surgery and director of USC Sports Medicine at the USC School of Medicine in Columbia, S.C. He also served as director of the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) Ankle and Foot Fellowship at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Birmingham, Ala. Dr. McBryde practiced at the Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center with subspecialty care delivered to competitive athletes from 2005 to 2012.

Dr. McBryde received his undergraduate degree at Davidson College and earned his medical degree from Duke Medical School. From there he completed a general surgery internship and junior residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. McBryde then served two years in the U.S. Navy, including a year in Vietnam as well as a year at the Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. He completed his orthopaedic residency at Duke Medical Center in 1971.

The Med School Café lecture and lunch are provided free of charge, but reservations are required. For more information or to make reservations, call Kim Partridge at (251) 460-7770 or e-mail kepartridge@health.southalabama.edu.

Dr. Ali Dodge-Khatami, professor of surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) and chief of pediatric and congenital heart surgery at the UMMC Children’s Heart Center, will present “Mini Right Axillary Thoracotomy for the Repair of Congenital Heart Defects,” for February’s pediatric grand rounds.

The event will take place Friday, Feb. 19, 2016, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the Atlantis Room in the CWEB-2 building behind USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital.

Dr. Dodge-Khatami will discuss alternative approaches to repair common congenital heart defects. He will also explain the pros and cons of each approach.

The event is open to faculty, staff and students at USA. A light breakfast, coffee and beverages will be provided. For additional information, contact Katie Catlin at kncatlin@health.southalabama.edu.